What Is a Criminal Case Manager?
In an attempt to deter criminals from committing crimes after they have been released, the criminal justice system adopts a number of case management techniques they hope will reduce recidivism rates. Some of these techniques include coordinating mental, social and other services. These programs, overseen by case managers, combat important issues faced by newly released inmates, such as substance abuse, joblessness and homelessness.
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Case Management in the Criminal Justice System
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Case management techniques within the criminal justice system involve social and/or mental health specialists who coordinate these transitional services for their clients. An important aspect of these specialists' duties is to ensure that their clients connect with community social service agencies and to follow up by monitoring their use of these available services.
There are many offenders who are sentenced to community corrections supervision instead of being incarcerated, as well as released criminals who are simply returning to their former communities who benefit from these case management techniques. These techniques are reducing relapses and recidivism and encouraging social reintegration and the enhancement of public safety.
Roles
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Criminal justice system case managers provide five important functions:(1) they assess the client's needs; (2) they develop a service plan; (3) they connect the client with appropriate services; (4) they monitor their client's progress; and (5) they advocate for the client when needed.
Their tasks include ensuring that services are maintained as the client makes progress through the criminal justice system and successfully returns to his community. They also provide pretrial services to ensure that those arrested appear at trial; transitional services; corrections programming; and parole and probation supervision ensuring that inmates returning to the community receive drug treatment as well as necessary mental and social services prior to being released. Quite frequently, these case managers are supervised by the parole or probation officers assigned to these clients.
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Case Management Models
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There are two case management models generally employed. They are the strength based model and the assertive model. With the strength based model, the case manager assess his client's strengths, most of which are identified by the client himself, and uses these talents to build a treatment and/or service plan. It also demands that the case manager maintain a positive belief in the client's possession of inner strengths and resources that will allow him to make acceptable social choices.
The assertive model is delivered by an aggressive approach by the case manager, as opposed to merely offering services. It may require that the case manager go to the client's home or job to hold meetings or conduct counseling. They will also locate the branch offices in the community that provide the services needed by the client. In many cases, programs will make use of elements of both of these models.
Development of Forms
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When a study of case management within various settings was conducted it revealed that there is more diversity than there is uniformity. The management that is similar across various settings takes place when the client populations themselves are similar, for example, those that require child welfare, mental health and/or physical disabilities. Similarities across programs seem to develop as a reflection of the population being served: those with mentally illnesses, those with drug addictions and those with mental disabilities, and so on.
Offenders Who Benefit Most
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Six types of offenders have been identified who best benefit from case management and improve with behavioral intervention. They are: 1) juvenile delinquents; 2) offenders who suffer from specific personality disorders, particularly antisocial; 3) offenders struggling with impulse control (pyromaniacs and kleptomaniacs); 4) sex offenders; 5) offenders with substance abuse issues; 6) offenders who have problems with their personal relationships which affect their ability to work, or be a parent of function properly in a family or society.
Currently the population that receives case management services most often are those with mental disorders, substance abusers, probationers and those who need help transitioning back into their communities.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit expression image by Daniel Wiedemann from Fotolia.com
